George Waggoner

George M. Waggoner, of rural South Coffeyville passed away at the age of 87, with his family at his side just as he would have wanted on November 14, 2021.

George was born on August 18, 1934, in Murphy, Oklahoma to Charlie and Ethel (Bennett) Waggoner.  As a youngster George and his family moved to the Centralia and Childers, Oklahoma area where he also completed his primary and secondary education. He grew up in a musical family where he and his eight siblings learned to play multiple instruments. George always enjoyed playing his guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and mandolin.

Through a mutual friend, George was introduced to Shirley Mitchell while she was still in high school.  The two became quite smitten with each other and began a courtship.  Upon completion of his formal education George enlisted in the US Army in 1954. George’s sister traveled with Shirley to chase him down traveling on the bus all the way to Fort Knox, Kentucky to marry him because she wasn’t about to let him go. The two were married on March 18, 1955, at the Justice of the Peace Marriage Parlor in Jeffersonville, Indiana.  Shortly after their marriage in 1956 George was stationed in Korea.   With George away, Shirley welcomed their first child, Howard into this world.  Lots of letters and pictures were mailed to George until he returned home. He received an honorable discharged in 1962.

George went to school on the GI Bill after his discharge.  He found employment after returning home at Liebert Brothers for a few years before going to work at Funks (now known as John Deere) where he was employed for over 34 years.  George worked in the Special Machines Department building and repairing machines needed for manufacturing.

George was a jack of all trades and tried to be the master of many.  He could build or fix anything, often even rebuilding what he had built because of being a perfectionist. He used his love for music as a form of communicating love to others, he played his guitar and sang “You Are My Sunshine” to those he loved, like his wife, children when they were younger and all his grandchildren. George has always had a special place in his heart for children, his grandchildren have on more than one occasion used Grandpa for their dress up mannequin. The girls would adorn him with jewelry and even a few barrettes in his hair. In his later years he began caring for a flock of ducks and guineas, building them a home, and feeding them daily.

George was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and friend; he was always a good provider for his family. He was truly a Spiritual leader in his home, he was a member of the Church of Christ in Coffeyville serving in leadership as deacon and elder for over 50 plus years. If George were here today, he would ask you “Do you know who that is? (Pointing to the sky) your reply: God? George reply, “Right you better make sure you’re right with Him!” and accept Jesus as your personal Savior so you can see just how Great Heaven is!

From courtship to marriage George and Shirley have shared in over 68 years together. Who really thinks about the legacy they will leave behind? Life wasn’t that money was always plentiful, there were seasons of struggle and seasons of blessings, but they held true to their vows to love for richer and poorer, and in sickness and health but, the greatest part of these years was love.

George is still very much loved by his wife, Shirley of the home; children, Howard Waggoner and wife, Susie, Jerry Waggoner and wife Nancy, Patricia (aka the bossy one) and husband Richard Hilton, and Georgina Yadon; ten grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and one on the way, two great-great-grandchildren; brother, Johnnie Waggoner and sister, Ann Wynn.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Fred Waggoner, Charlie Waggoner, Dortha Hawk, Ruth Jarrett, Edna “Elvina” Babcock and Ethel Faye Waggoner.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 2pm at the Church of Christ, 1005 Siggins St., Coffeyville and the family will receive friends on Friday, November 19 from 5 to 7pm also at the Church of Christ.  Friends may sign the register at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville from 9 to 3 on Friday.  The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Church of Christ-Hope Harbor Ministries, a ministry that was very dear to George’s heart. Contributions may be left in care of the chapel. To leave a message of condolences or share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com